Quote:
Originally Posted by Northwoods Mary  When I joined this group, I was encouraged to post an introductory thread, so here goes:
Two weeks ago we were lucky enough to be the first to respond to an ad for a five month old male Yorkie puppy. Ever since we lost our older female Yorkie to cancer five years ago, we have been casually talking about getting another one, but since being quarantined at home, we’ve thought now would be a great time to spend time training and incorporating a new puppy into our family (2 adults and 3 kids, 10, 12 & 14).
I wasn’t planning on Or hoping for one so small, but our little guy is only 2.2 pounds at 5 months. A breeder sold him to a lady who thought she’d be off work for the summer, then was called back to 12 hour shifts so she had to find another home for him. Both parents were in the 4 & 5 pound range, but a grandpa was 2.5 as an adult.
I already love this puppy as much or more than any other dog I’ve owned in my 62 years. He is playful, confident, very spoiled (on purpose), and the cutest, sweetest little dog ever. My concern is that he isn’t always a good judge of danger, and has had one spill off a retaining wall when he saw me go inside the house to refill my coffee. My husband was right with him, but couldn’t stop him in time from diving off the wall to chase me. He has decided that I am his person, and doesn’t want me out of his sight. My girls are desperate to hold him, but he only allows me to cuddle him. He will play with them, as long as I am near by.
I have lots of questions.... He has had his puppy shots, but the breeder advises against rabies shots (required by law in our state). He also has not had kennel cough shots which I would need to bring him to a groomer, or I can learn to groom him myself. Which shots do you advise?
He is not neutered yet. I have thought of buying one female and raising a liter a year, no more than that, since he is such a good looking puppy, and no one in our area is raising them (we live in a rural area with lots of room inside and out), but I am wondering what are the up sides and downsides of doing this? (He already treats my hand like a female when he gets excited😕.). When he does this, I hold him on his back for a moment until he quits wiggling. I actually don’t care, but I know I shouldn’t let him do this behavior.
I would welcome any suggestions, tips, advice of any kind. Our family loves this puppy and wants him to have a happy, healthy home with us. |
I don’t mean to be unkind, but please don’t become what is commonly referred to as a “backyard breeder” or amateur breeder. You may have the very best of intentions in wanting to breed your cute little guy, but breeding is best left to knowledgeable people who are well-informed about both the standards of their chosen breed and the various costs (tangible and intangible) of breeding, raising and selling animals. As just one example of why you shouldn’t do it: do you know anything about the genetic background of your pup and what congenital defects he might pass on to any offspring? Even if he’s perfectly healthy himself, he could carry recessive genes for congenital issues that, if combined with the genes of the wrong female, could lead to puppies with severe issues.
I’m sorry if this sounds harsh. However, I’ve volunteered in animal rescue for many years, and I’ve seen far too many serious medical and behavioral issues that come from the habits of backyard breeders. In fact, my small yorkie, Jax, was a reject from a backyard breeder who continues to breed a pair of dogs whose offspring — statistically — have a one in four chance of having the same congenital vision loss that Jax has, and most of whose normal appearing offspring (sold for big $ to the unsuspecting public) carry the recessive gene for that condition.
And do, please, have your pup vaccinated for rabies. The risks from not doing so are far greater than any risks from vaccination.